SSF Fisheries and SSF Cooperatives
Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are an indispensable component of the fisheries sector, especially in developing nations. These fisheries face a variety of challenges that include a lack of data required for governance decisions, the disempowerment and exclusion of fishery workers, poor communication between actors in the value chain and climate change.
What is a small-scale fishing community? A small-scale fishing community is a community whose livelihoods are dependent on natural marine resources; whose people are actively involved in the harvesting of the these resources as their primary source of income; and whose social and cultural identity is integral to these practices.
Who is a small-scale fisher? A small-scale fisher is a person who makes a living from marine resources using little or no technology, usually on a day-to-day basis, on or near shore; and could be involved in the sale, barter or other commercial activities involving these resources.
What is a "SFF Cooperative"? Small-scale fishing rights are allocated to communities and not to individuals (or small-scale fishers themselves) in terms of the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy. In terms of this Policy, fishing communities must apply to be recognised as small scale fishing communities. These legal entities are known as "SFF Cooperatives."
The History of SSF Cooperatives
In 2012, South Africa adopted the SSF Policy that aims to give legal recognition to small scale fishers and to ensure that they have equal access to marine resources. Previous legislation and policy excluded small-scale and artisanal fishers who catch and sell fish to sustain livelihoods.
The key objectives of the SSF Policy were therefore as follows:
- To recognise an approach that contributes to food security, local socio-economic development and poverty alleviation;
- To promote biodiversity and sustainable use and management of marine resources and ecosystems
- To recognise that social, cultural, economic and ecological parts of small-scale fisheries systems are all linked;
- To ensure that co-management empowers through education, training and skills development
- To promote effective participation in policy development, management and decision-making;
- To promote equity and preferential access for small-scale fishers to critical infrastructure and amenities such as land and at landing sites.
ABALOBI's role
ABALOBI developed a free suite of apps aimed at improving the monitoring, traceability and transparency of SSF data, while also including fishers in governance decision-making, and in the development of their businesses. After a successful trial period, ABALOBI was endorsed as the official platform for the implementation of the SSF Policy.
Due to this onerous and privileged role that has been bestowed on ABALOBI, it is continuously seeking ways to advance and provide support to the SSF cooperatives in a way that will promote social justice and the alleviation of poverty in the SSF chain; support the collection, validation and analysis of user-generated and trusted SSF data; gather and utilize knowledge to enhance the productivity and livelihoods of SSF cooperatives; protect our ocean's marine resources; and build resilient communities in the face of climate change – on behalf of and for the benefit of SSF cooperatives and their members.